DIR Launches New Landscape Apprenticeship Program with Alameda Point Collaborative, San Leandro Adult School

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- California's Department of Industrial Relations' (DIR) Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) has announced an apprenticeship partnership with the Alameda Point Collaborative and the San Leandro Adult School to provide career opportunities in landscaping for low-income residents of the Collaborative.

"This is the first Landscaping Apprenticeship program in the state and we are thrilled to forge new avenues to employment with the Collaborative and the San Leandro Adult School," said DIR Director Christine Baker.

The newly-formed partnership will consist of over 288 hours of classroom instruction, and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training over a two year period. All apprentices will be guaranteed a paid, part-time apprenticeship and will receive salary increases periodically over the two-year period.

"The ability to provide employment opportunities to those who may otherwise be at a disadvantage in this job market is a crucial function of apprenticeship, and this is a partnership we are extremely excited about," said DAS Director Diane Ravnik. "The Collaborative and San Leandro Adult School are two organizations that we are very proud to stand with today and we hope this partnership will be a model to other groups going forward."

"This is a significant day for us here at the collaborative," said Andrea Schorr, Director of Social Enterprise at the Alameda Point Collaborative. "This apprenticeship program will allow more of our residents to have opportunities for work that they may not have otherwise."

The Alameda Point Collaborative was established in 1999 on the decommissioned Alameda Naval Base to provide housing and supportive services to those in need. It is the largest provider of low-income housing in the entire East Bay, serving more than 25% of Alameda County.

The San Leandro Adult School provides educational opportunities to East Bay adults such as English as a Second Language, Citizenship Preparation, and GED Preparation classes.

DAS creates opportunities for Californians to gain lifelong employable skills while providing employers with a skilled workforce by administering California apprenticeship law and enforcing apprenticeship standards for wages, hours, and working conditions. The California Department of Industrial Relations' Division of Apprenticeship Standards promotes apprenticeship training through creation of partnerships and monitors programs to ensure high standards for on-the-job training and supplemental classroom instruction. Additional information on apprenticeship programs is available on our website.